Jungkook closed the door behind him, walking straight to the kitchen with a faint smile lingering on his lips. The same smile that never left him ever since last night.

"When did you come back?" He heard a deep voice, making his smile drop for a moment. He straightened himself, looking at the person leaning on the doorframe with their arms crossed on their chest.

"Don't tell me you've started sleeping around now?" Taehyung cocked an eyebrow.

Don't fight with your hyungs, they're just looking out for you. They love you a lot, even if they're not showing it in the best way, they do love you. Speak wisely and take a step back when necessary, anger doesn't solve anything.

Jungkook breathed deeply once, shaking his head subtly and gave a brief smile, "I told Jin hyung I'll be out with my friends. He didn't tell you guys?"

"Oh he did," Taehyung nodded staring at the younger with an amused expression, "You look happy, seems like your frien–"

"You can't stop, can you?" Namjoon spoke, entering the kitchen. He glared at Taehyung, earning a scoff from the latter and focused on Jungkook, smiling a little, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?" Jungkook said, looking between the two of them, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it. I just realised how hard some people are trying to test you." Namjoon said.

Jungkook frowned, staring at Taehyung who just chuckled dryly, shaking his head in pity at the elder's meaningless taunt. "Uhm hyung, if you're doing this for me, then please stop. Don't fight with each other because of me, you know I can't see you guys like this, Jimin hyung already left and now please don't do this again." Jungkook said, staring at Namjoon and then Taehyung.

"Good to know you still think about us." Taehyung sighed, standing straight as he removed the support from the wall and walked towards the younger member, "I won't say anything Kook, unless Namjoon hyung says something about me. And as for you, I'm watching everything bud."

A hard stare lasted for a few seconds, eyes locked with rage sparking in both the boys. But it ended when Taehyung looked away, smiling with half of his mouth and tilted his head, "Go wash up, we have a meeting later and a shoot after that."

With that said Jungkook was left alone with their leader in the kitchen. The boy cracked his neck, grabbing a glass and poured himself some cold water, trying his best to get the anger away and stay firm at his words that he promised Jimin. 

"Don't mind him, Jungkook. He's just... I don't know, honestly." Namjoon sighed, shaking his head as he left the maknae alone.

Jungkook stared at his back disappearing behind the hallway, clenching his hand tightly against the glass, he breathed deeply and cracked his neck, not even wincing when the cold glass broke between his palm and fingers, digging into the skin, making blood apear where it was water a few moments ago.

_____

"What happened to your hand, Jungkook?" Jin's words erupted as soon as his eyes landed on the white bandage on the boy's hand, making him shaking his head dismissively and continued with his squats, not paying much mind to his hyungs who were scattered around the gym, some doing push-ups or pull-ups or some taking a break after a heavy workout.

"What happened?" Yoongi turned on hearing Jin's failed attempt, "Kook, what is that on your hand?"

"Nothing, hyung, just a small cut. Don't worry." Jungkook said, between deep breaths with his constant sitting and standing, holding the weights in either of his hands.

"Why are you lifting weights then?" The eldest shook his head, taking the dumble from Jungkook and kept it down. He grabbed his hand, hissing the sight of the bandage stained dark red at places, "You're stupid, I think your wound is bleeding again. Come with me."

"Is he okay?" Hoseok asked, making Taehyung and Namjoon to stop their movements and glance at their youngest member who was made to sit on a bench while Jin undid his bandage.

"How did he get hurt?" Namjoon asked, approaching the duo, while Taehyung stayed behind, quietly reaching out for his water bottle and took a few sips, eyes fixed on Jungkook's wound.

"God, Kook what were you doing exactly to get hurt like that?" Jin frowned, "Somebody get the first aid please."

"I'll get it," Hoseok nodded.

"No need hyung, it's fine." Jungkook pushed his hair back, shaking his head for the elder to let it be, but they weren't to listen. Hoseok jogged out of the gym, while Jin grabbed a towel and started wiping off the blood gently.

Jungkook sighed, cracking his neck as he glanced up, letting the eldest hyung treat the wounds on his hand. That's when his eyes locked with Taehyung's, who was sitting across the gym, elbows on his knees, holding a black bottle in his hand. Nobody really broke the eye contact, just that Taehyung's round eyes seemed to exhibit the winces of pain that Jungkook was supposed to be experiencing. The younger looked down, averting his eyes from Taehyung, who he knew was still watching.

"I'm fine hyung, it doesn't hurt that much." Jungkook said, clearing his throat, his words directed towards Jin, Hoseok, Namjoon, Yoongi, and minutely to Taehyung, making him sigh.

"I'll be outside," Taehyung said, grabbing his jacket as he walked towards the door.

"He–"

"I know," Jungkook nodded, staring at his hand, "he cares."

The elders exchanged soft glances, before smiling subtly as they nodded, "He cares a lot, especially about you. You're the only younger brother he has. Just that he's a little stupid and doesn't know how to show it to you."

"I can see it," Jungkook hushed out, "now I can see it..."

"Then please talk to him, he's hurting too–"

"He thinks I'll snitch."

"No," Hoseok placed his hand on Jungkook's shoulder, making him look up and said, "he's just scared to lose you. You know how close he was with Jimin, he doesn't want to lose you you too."

"You said nothing before," Jungkook stared at Hoseok with glassy eyes, "None of you said anything before this...  y'all were just watching, hyung... Why?"

"Would you have listened if we said the same thing two days back?" Yoongi asked, "No, Jungkook. You know it too, you wouldn't listen, and Tae wouldn't listen either."

"I don't know all that..." The youngest said, rubbing his eyes and breathed deeply, pulling his hand back as Jin was done now and stood up, "I don't know anything anymore, and I won't bother arguing with him now. But know that this is not the BTS I wanted... this is not what we, together, dreamt of..."

The elders stood still, having nothing to say as Jungkook lowered his gaze, letting his steps follow out of the gym, halting only when he realised Taehyung was still standing near the door, leaning on the wall, probably hearing and  agreeing with Jungkook's words.

Eyes locked for a split seconds, enough to leave Taehyung haunting with the younger's aching gaze from the doe eyes that used to crinkle with a smile and sparkle with faith and dreams, now glinting fear and pain behind tears.

Taehyung released a breath, blinking a few times, realising Jungkook walked away. Only his reflection was there, staring back at him faintly from the opaque glass wall in front of him. He watched himself, studying if it was him  for real, the same Taehyung who used to be a reason his two closest boys used to smile; the same Taehyung who used to be Jungkook's go-to friend in the initial years; the same Taehyung who spent days and nights with Jimin laughing and living every single moment with him. No;

He gasped, taking a step back, flinching on hitting someone behind. Yoongi frowned, placing his hand on the former's shoulder, noticing the tormented expression on Taehyung's face, "Are you okay?"

The boy took some time, shaking his head eventually, "I- I think I'll use the restroom..." His voice was quivering, just as the sigh that worked out of his thin lips.

With a cold splash of water on the face, Taehyung shook his head, staring at the mirror that reflected his image and all he could remember was Jungkook's eyes. His hands clutched on the edge of the counter, taking support for his knees felt week with every shaky breath he took, almost feeling like he'd pass out.

You changed

He groaned loudly, leaning back until his body was pressed against the cold wall. Tears coursed down from his cheeks, rolling down his jawline and further from his neck, getting soaked in the hem of his grey t-shirt. His body slid down, grabbing his hair in frustration as the reflection wouldn't stop mocking at him, continuously reminding him of the tears Jungkook cried because of him.

Miserable. Taehyung was miserable, sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, one hand clutching on his shirt and the other on his hair, crying. Crying like he was hurting physically too, somewhere deep inside his gut, or maybe in his head, or probably in his heart that loved his six boys — well five now, and at the rate things were going, he was scared it might turn four soon.

______

"Hyung..." Jungkook muffled out, shutting his eyes tight as they let out salty tears, marking his cheeks. He chewed on his lower lip, holding his phone with shaky hands, having Jimin with him when no one else was.

"Relax Kook, just focus on your breathing."

"...what is happening h-hyung? I don't wanna stay here. I'm- I wanna go home, hyung."

Jimin stayed silent for a while, sighing softly at Jungkook's words that came a bit unclear between his sobs, "you're at home, bunny..."

That was the truth, potentially capable of hurting Jungkook more. The boy stopped for a while, taking a moment to look around, for the first time realising that he was at home indeed. But then why is there no peace? Why isn't he feeling the homely warmth?

"I wanna go home..." He whispered, closing his eyes again.

"I'm so sorry"

Jungkook nodded tiredly, not even noticing that Jimin won't be able to see him through the call. His brows frowned, opening his eyes to look at the phone on hearing a high pitched crying noise, "Evie?"

"Yeah, just a second." Jimin cleared his throat and Jungkook heard some shuffling noise before Jimin spoke again, not to Jungkook but to his daughter this time, "It's okay, nobody's crying. Do you wanna see the birdie?"

Evie continued crying, frequently mumbling his name, making Jimin sigh, "It's alright, baby. Kookie is on the phone, do you wanna talk?"

"Hey," Jungkook voiced softly, sounding a little hoarse, but carried on, "Evie, don't cry. You're a princess aren't you?"

"She heard us, I guess." Jimin said, "Y'know, kids notice when the adults are facing some problem, when they're not happy..."

Jungkook stayed silent, nodding his head slowly, "Can I... see her?"

"Sure," Jimin said, making Jungkook smile a little as he wiped his tears and switched to face timing his hyung, which Jimin answered instantly, smiling softly at the younger despite of his tear stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes.

Seeing Jimin only made Jungkook more emotional, he looked down, covering his face with his hand, earning a soft chuckle from the elder as he wiped his tears too, "Don't cry Jungkook," Jimin said.

"I'm not," Jungkook cleared his throat, blinking a few times, "Just that y'know you look so handsome it makes me cry, like how armys cry when they see us."

Jimin laughed at that, shaking his head, "You and your overacting," he said, making Jungkook laugh a little as well.

"Dadadada!" He heard Evie. She wasn't crying now, but he could tell she was screaming-crying a few moments ago just by hearing her voice.

"Yes, wait." Jimin said to her and sat down, holding her in his lap as he placed the phone at a distance so that she won't grab it. "Look Kookie's there, say hi to him." He said, pointing at the screen, making Jungkook smile as he waved at the baby.

"Hey, Evie," He spoke, "Can you see me or should I move a little?"

"No, it's fine." Jimin said.

"Aaaayyayaa!" Evie shouted, extending her hand towards the phone then glanced at Jimin, making him smile.

"Yeah, tell Kookie to smile and stop crying."

Jungkook chuckled a little, rubbing his eyes and sat straight, "Do I look okay now?"

"Dadadada"

"Okay fine, your dad is more handsome, but do I look a little okay?"

Evie nodded once, going back to focusing on something that caught her attention next, leaving Jungkook to gasp at her response and Jimin to laugh at the coincidence again.

"Wow, thank you, bestie." Jungkook nodded, smiling at the baby.

________

A/N- it sucks to be on your period. Like man fuuucckkkkkk the cramps are killing me 😭😭😭 How are you tho?

Please vote for the chapter and comment if you like it. I won't say much now, bye. God it's hurting so bad...